Racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality across Michigan, United States

Abstract

Background: Black populations in the United States are being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the increased mortality burden after accounting for health and other demographic characteristics is not well understood. We examined characteristics of individuals who died from COVID-19 in Michigan by race stratified by their age, sex and comorbidity prevalence to illustrate and understand this disparity in mortality risk. Methods: We evaluate COVID-19 mortality in Michigan by demographic and health characteristics, using individual-level linked death certificate and surveillance data collected by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services from March 16 to October 26, 2020. We identified differences in demographics and comorbidity prevalence across race among individuals who died from COVID-19 and calculated mortality rates by age, sex, race, and number of comorbidities. Findings: Among the 6,065 COVID-19 related deaths in Michigan, Black individuals are experiencing 3¢6 times the mortality rate of White individuals (p<0.001), with a mortality rate for Black individuals under 65 years without comorbidities that is 12¢6 times that of their White counterparts (p<0.001). After accounting for age, race, sex, and number of comorbidities, we find that Black individuals in all strata are at higher risk of COVID-19 mortality than their White counterparts. Interpretation: Our findings demonstrate that Black populations are disproportionately burdened by COVID-19 mortality, even after accounting for demographic and underlying health characteristics. We highlight how disparities across race, which result from systemic racism, are compounded in crises.

Projecting the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and the Vaccination Program on the Fourth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea

“…Our results indicate that a SARS-CoV-2 variant with higher transmissibility compared to the currently circulating strain would become dominant within two months of being introduced. Our findings are consistent with prior studies that indicated that the variant alpha would become the predominant variant in the US, 2–3 months after introduction [ 3 , 41 ]. Even in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, a vaccination program was shown to have potential in significantly reducing the disease burden associated with COVID-19.…”

Social Determinants of Health Correlating with Mechanical Ventilation of COVID-19 Patients: A Multi-Center Observational Study

“…10 Distrust in medical providers or financial barriers as previously discussed may play a role. 10 Black Americans also comprise a disproportionate percentage of frontline jobs where risk of exposure is high, including nursing homes or skilled care facilities, courier services, and urban transportation. 13 Patients with disabilities were also more likely to be MV from COVID-19.…”

“… 9 Financial insecurity and lack of insurance may also delay seeking medical care until advanced stages of infection. 10 Accordingly, we were surprised to find that patients under the “Not employed” category did not have a higher risk of MV. This could be a limitation of the EMR if employment history is not updated.…”

“…12 Similar observations between Black race and COVID-19 burden have been found after controlling for pre-existing comorbidities. 10 It is possible that Black patients delay seeking medical attention as quickly as their White counterparts. 10 Distrust in medical providers or financial barriers as previously discussed may play a role.…”

“… 10 It is possible that Black patients delay seeking medical attention as quickly as their White counterparts. 10 Distrust in medical providers or financial barriers as previously discussed may play a role. 10 Black Americans also comprise a disproportionate percentage of frontline jobs where risk of exposure is high, including nursing homes or skilled care facilities, courier services, and urban transportation.…”